Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

The Saskatchewan Health Authority, in collaboration with eHealth, the Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch and the Ministry of Health, is recommending the addition of COVID-19-specific information when prescribing electronically using the Pharmaceutical Information Program (PIP). Please see this memo for more information.

This will allow the community pharmacy to coordinate with the patient to ensure safe dispensing of medications while limiting the risk of community exposure.

The current Health Canada section 56 exemption has been extended from September 30, 2020 to September 30, 2021.

The exemption, which outlines the terms for patients, and practitioners and pharmacists prescribing and providing controlled substances during the COVID-19 pandemic, has not changed. Also note that Health Canada can amend, terminate or extend the exemption if it deems it necessary to protect public health and safety.

Please see the Health Canada notice here.

With the curve of COVID-19 in the province flattening, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has reported that the health care system is managing with the current number of cases. Therefore, SCPP will no longer be requesting or processing applications for Emergency Practising Licences. Current emergency licences will remain valid for the 90-day period.

SCPP wishes to thank all those who applied for their willingness to answer the call for help.

Health Canada advises Canadians to help support the continued supply of medications.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant shifts in the supply and demand of certain drugs. While supply levels may be stabilizing, supply pressures continue for certain drugs. Governments, industry, pharmacy organizations, and other health sector partners continue to work together to address supply issues, and are taking measures to conserve the supply of critical drugs. Health Canada has been monitoring the supply situation closely and will take any necessary actions, in collaboration with its partners, to help ensure the continued supply of medications for Canadians.

Patients are advised not to buy more medication than required. This will help ensure that all Canadians continue to have access to the medications they need and to prevent drug shortages.

For the full advisory, please click here.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority, in collaboration with eHealth, the Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch and the Ministry of Health, is recommending the addition of COVID-19-specific information when prescribing electronically using the Pharmaceutical Information Program (PIP). Please see this memo for more information.

This will allow the community pharmacy to coordinate with the patient to ensure safe dispensing of medications while limiting the risk of community exposure.

The current Health Canada section 56 exemption has been extended from September 30, 2020 to September 30, 2021.

The exemption, which outlines the terms for patients, and practitioners and pharmacists prescribing and providing controlled substances during the COVID-19 pandemic, has not changed. Also note that Health Canada can amend, terminate or extend the exemption if it deems it necessary to protect public health and safety.

Please see the Health Canada notice here.

Health Canada advises Canadians to help support the continued supply of medications.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant shifts in the supply and demand of certain drugs. While supply levels may be stabilizing, supply pressures continue for certain drugs. Governments, industry, pharmacy organizations, and other health sector partners continue to work together to address supply issues, and are taking measures to conserve the supply of critical drugs. Health Canada has been monitoring the supply situation closely and will take any necessary actions, in collaboration with its partners, to help ensure the continued supply of medications for Canadians.

Patients are advised not to buy more medication than required. This will help ensure that all Canadians continue to have access to the medications they need and to prevent drug shortages.

For the full advisory, please click here.

Effective May 20th, the Saskatchewan government is lifting the supply limits on prescription medications that were introduced to guard against shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the majority of the Canadian drug supply is more stable, some drugs (e.g. salbutamol inhalers) and drug classes (e.g. sedatives and antibiotics) are in short supply. For these medications, pharmacists will use their judgement and dispense appropriate quantities. The medications supply is being actively monitored at federal and provincial levels, as the pandemic evolves.

Please see the news release here and the letter sent to pharmacy professionals here.

1. quantities that exceed the limits in the bylaws;
2. when the most previous prescription for that drug was issued by a licensed pharmacist; or
3. when no active relationship exists between a practitioner and the patient.

• September 30, 2020;
• The date that it is replaced by another exemption; or
• The date on which it is revoked.

1. pharmacists to extend prescriptions;
2. pharmacists to transfer prescriptions to other pharmacists;
3. prescribers (i.e. physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists) to issue verbal orders (i.e. over the phone) to extend or refill a prescription; and
4. pharmacy employees to deliver prescriptions of all CDSA drugs to patients’ homes or other locations where they may be (i.e. self-isolating).

• A ONE MONTH supply (to a maximum of a 35 day supply) in a 28 day period for all drugs not on the Maintenance Drug Schedule;
• A TWO MONTH supply in a 55 day period for drugs on the Two Month Drug List;
• A 100 Day supply in a 95 day period for drugs on the 100 Day List.

With the curve of COVID-19 in the province flattening, the Saskatchewan Health Authority has reported that the health care system is managing with the current number of cases. Therefore, SCPP will no longer be requesting or processing applications for Emergency Practising Licences. Current emergency licences will remain valid for the 90-day period.

SCPP wishes to thank all those who applied for their willingness to answer the call for help.

In order to provide medications by injection and other routes, SCPP requires that you maintain current First Aid and CPR Level C certification, complete all required training available through Continuing Professional Development for Pharmacy Professionals (CPDPP) and properly declare AMC during licence renewal.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting physical distancing requirements, we have learned that in-person courses previously available to recertify for First Aid and CPR Level C are being postponed. As a result, some providers are extending their certificate expiry dates. The onus is on the member to determine if their First Aid and CPR Level C training is expired, and/or if any extension to the expiration date is being provided by the training agency. If your First Aid and CPR Level C certification is expired and you are unable to obtain proof that your certification has been extended, you should not provide medications by injection until you can re-certify.

SCPP is monitoring the situation regarding First Aid and CPR Level C training and will provide more information as it becomes available, but we encourage all members to check with their training provider.

In the March edition of SCOPe, SCPP reported in error that all CPR and First Aid certificates had been extended until September 30, 2020. It has since been confirmed that certificates from certain providers may be extended 90 days. Again, please check with your service provider.

Please find more information on the Registration page.

New Bylaw Amendments Provide Expedited Emergency Registration/Licensure

The amendments ensure expedited, no-fee, temporary emergency licensure/registration for Retired, Associate, Non-Practising members, pharmacy professionals who were previously registered/licensed with the SCPP, and pharmacy professionals (in good standing) from other Canadian jurisdictions. These professionals must have been previously licensed/registered within the last three years, be in good standing, and have no ongoing complaints investigation or disciplinary findings.

These amendments may help to address potential Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician shortages resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic (or any other potential future emergencies). Please see the Emergency Registration and Licensure – Supplemental Policy for more information.

A pre-registration screening form is provided for further information and to express interest in obtaining this licence. Please also visit the Emergency Registration section for more information.

Amendments to Provide Interns with the Authority to Complete Advanced Method Certification (AMC) in an Emergency

At the discretion of the Registrar, this new authority will ensure an optimal number of pharmacy professionals are available to administer the flu vaccination, a potential COVID-19 vaccination, or other necessary medications by injection or other routes. This exemption for AMC is in place for 2020 graduates only as part of the emergency licensure bylaws.

• medSask – guidelines and recommendations for appropriate cleaning and disinfection of surfaces in community pharmacies during the COVID-19 pandemic?
• SCPP Reference Manual – Infection Control Guidelines
• SCPP Reference Manual – Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette Standards and Guidelines
• SCPP Reference Manual – Hand Hygiene

• SCPP has been receiving inquiries from pharmacy team members regarding the reporting of patients to the police who are not complying with the new legal requirement (both Provincial and Federal under the Quarantine Act announced March 26, 2020) to quarantine themselves whether it be after a trip outside of Canada regardless of showing symptoms or when they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

• The section below from the Office of the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) speaks to the authority to disclose this information to law enforcement individuals. In addition, the privacy officer for each pharmacy should be familiar with the privacy documents on SCPPs website, specifically the Disclosure of Personal Health Information to Law Enforcement Authorities Guidelines for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, that speaks to disclosing information to avoid or minimize danger to the health and safety of any person.
  
  IPC Guide to HIPA
  27(4) A trustee may disclose personal health information in the custody or control of the trustee without the consent of the subject individual in the following cases:
  (a) where the trustee believes, on reasonable grounds, that the disclosure will avoid or minimize a danger to the health or safety of any person;
  
  Disclosure of Personal Health Information to Law Enforcement Authorities Guidelines for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
  “Where, in the reasonable opinion of the member, the disclosure of personal health information is required to avoid or minimize a danger to the health or safety of the client, staff or any third party, the member may disclose the information without the consent of the client.”

• In response to the shortage of hand sanitizer, Health Canada has advised that in response to the unprecedented demand and urgent need for disinfectants and hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is excluding this bulk compounding from the requirements of the Food and Drug Regulations and the Natural Health Products Regulations within the context of the practitioner-patient relationship. Retail sale to the public likely does not satisfy this requirement and would require Health Canada authorization prior to the sale. However, should pharmacies choose to compound hand sanitizer, and make it available to the public (outside of the practitioner-patient relationship), Health Canada will not prioritize the enforcement of this condition, on the condition that:
  • It be compounded by a licensed pharmacist within Saskatchewan; and
  • It be created following a reputable formula such as that published by the World Health Organization (e.g. Guide to Local Production: WHO-recommended Handrub Formulations).
  
  The SCPP supports the compounding of hand sanitizer to meet patient and professional practice needs at this time with additional expectations:
  • It must be done by a licensed pharmacist or licensed pharmacy technician working with a pharmacist;
  • Professional ethics of pharmacy professionals would be maintained at all times; and
  • Once the shortage is resolved, all commercial manufacturing would cease.

• Ongoing meetings between the SCPP and the Ministry of Health continue. The Ministry of Health is aware of the shortage of personal protective equipment for community pharmacies and the public demand for medication stockpiling which could lead to drug shortages. The Ministry is following up on these concerns. The Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan is working with its members to gather PPE information. Updates will be provided as they become available.

• Thank you to those pharmacists who are educating the public about the risk of drug shortages due to unnecessary stockpiling. The Canadian Pharmacist Association has developed key messages to help explain the risks of medication stockpiling to the public.

• A new Emergency Preparedness Tools document has been prepared by SCPP to inform pharmacy professionals of the tools available to help them address the risks they may be identifying in their preparations to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
  Document: Emergency Preparedness Tools (updated March 18, 2020)
  
  The College is working closely with the federal and provincial ministries of health, regulators and other health system partners to undertake the necessary planning to protect residents.
  
  
• SCPP met with Health Canada and the College of Physicians and Surgeons to discuss emergency planning measures for an exemption to allow pharmacists to prescribe narcotics and controlled drugs in Saskatchewan should it be needed.
  
  
• SCPP met with representatives from national and provincial pharmacy associations and regulators to provide updates and discuss areas for national action.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) released new data showing that Saskatchewan is in a significantly better position to manage COVID-19 as a result of the interventions taken to date to slow the spread of the virus.

For more details, please see the Government of Saskatchewan news release.

• the regular HealthLine 811, which continues to be available for health-related enquiries.
• the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency Line 1-855-559-5502, which is there to answer non-health related questions, including reporting non-compliance with public health self-isolation and social-distancing orders. Businesses and residents can call 24 hours a day, as well as submit concerns online.
• the COVID-19 website, which contains updated reliable information and a self-assessment tool.
• the Business Response Team, which can be reached at 1-844-800-8688 for business-related questions and support.
• a donation-specific email – procurement@gov.sk.ca – available for businesses and organizations that wish to offer supplies and other solutions for health-care workers.